Jaguars defensive tackle Jordan Davis and safety Jessie Bates III, both acquired via trades this week, won’t play at Tennessee on Sunday
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Jaguars defensive tackle Jordan Davis and safety Jessie Bates III, both acquired via trades this week, won't play at Tennessee on Sunday.
Coach Liam Coen made the announcement Friday, saying Davis and Bates will get the weekend off primarily because neither has had a bye week.
“Want to be able to make sure that we’re (taking into account) player safety, putting them in a position to succeed, learn the system and just give those guys a week to be able to do that,” Coen said.
Jacksonville (6-2) swapped two draft picks for each player a day before Tuesday's trade deadline. The Jaguars already had their bye and close the season with nine consecutive games. Davis came from Philadelphia, which is on its bye. And Bates came from Atlanta, which has a bye next week.
So Coen decided the team would be best served by giving both players a weekend off and more time to get acclimated to new surroundings and a new defensive scheme. Neither newcomer practiced Wednesday or Thursday.
Defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, acquired from New Orleans the same day as Jordan and Bates, is expected to play against the Titans (1-7). Godchaux and the Saints had Week 8 off.
“Jessie Bates has been here 'til about 10:30 every night,” Coen said. "It’s been pretty cool seeing him in there learning, grinding, working through it. There’s obviously so much that safeties have to be able to communicate and operate within the back end of the entire structure.
“I’ve really appreciated the way he, Jordan and Davon have all gone through the work week. Obviously Davon and Jesse have been through different organizations, teams, moves. This is new for Jordan, and I think he’s worked his tail off with strength and conditioning and sports science, athletic training guys this week, and he’s putting his best foot forward to hopefully be able to get out there next week for us.”
The Jags gave up a 2027 first-round draft pick and a 2029 second-rounder for Davis, who is expected to replace injured defensive tackle Davon Hamilton (knee/quad). They gave up a 2027 second-rounder and a 2028 fifth-rounder for Bates, who will step in for Eric Murray (elbow). Hamilton and Murray are out for the season.
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